Poles deserve to be convinced

In a January interview with the WBJ, Józef Oleksy, former prime minister and head of the Sejm's European Committee, said the government would launch a public campaign explaining the benefits of joining the EU. The latest rumblings are that a national campaign will begin in May. Let's hope the government makes its argument convincing. Poland's leadership, though, cannot be expected to bear all of the responsibility for informing citizens about the benefits - and costs - of membership. The European Union should be equally forthcoming about what expansion means. At roughly 55% public support, Poles are not as enthusiastic about joining the economic and political bloc as they could be. There are many reasons for this. But whether Polish citizens like the terms of accession or loathe them, there is no alternative to joining - hopefully in 2004. The problem is, most people have no idea how joining the EU will affect them. Will they be better off? In the long term, most say yes. In the short term, many are doubtful. It's up to the government then - and the EU - to help explain to Poles why the deal they're getting is fair and the best one possible. Only then will a positive result in a referendum next year be more secure.

This will be a tall order for both sides. Last week Jarosław Kalinowski, the deputy prime minister and agriculture minister, presented a report criticizing the European Commission's proposal to pay farmers in new member countries only 25% of the aid current members receive. Rather than boosting farmers' incomes by 30%, as the EC proposed last month, the Foundation of Assistance Programs for Agriculture report charges that the new members' share of Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) funds will not boost Polish farmers' incomes at all - nor will it help restructure the sector. Assuming Kalinowski has his figures right, it would appear the EU has some explaining to do. A lot of explaining. And the CAP issue is just the start. The EU needs to counter its image as a bureaucracy-heavy, opaque and often arrogant institution. The Polish government, for its part, needs to present honest and intelligent arguments that counter emotional appeals. Poland should join the EU. Warsaw and Brussels should explain why.

Thank you, Marek Six years and more than 300 articles later, "Government Watch" columnist Marek Matraszek is stepping down this week as the WBJ's resident political expert. While Marek won't be leaving us completely - a monthly column covering domestic and foreign policy issues will debut in May - his weekly perspective on the Polish political scene will be sorely missed. Thanks for all your hard work, Marek! Keeping a fresh eye on the government will be Chris Mularczyk. His first column will appear next week.